Etihad Airways celebrates a major milestone

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, last week celebrated a major milestone as the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation history, when it took delivery of its 100th and 101st aircraft on the same day.

The one hundredth aircraft, a new Airbus
A321-231 (registration A6-AEC), was delivered from the Airbus Finkenwerder
facility in Hamburg. On arrival in Abu Dhabi, the aircraft was welcomed by over
500 Etihad Airways employees at a specially organised photo-shoot to mark the
occasion.

James Hogan, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “This is an important day for an
airline which launched operations just over ten years ago. Etihad Airways
continues to grow, to prosper and to lead the way in innovation and service.
Today, we fly the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient aircraft
available, setting new standards in comfort and reliability.”

The airline now operates three Airbus
A321, with seven more on order. This A321 delivery is joined by the airline’s
101st aircraft, an Airbus A320-200 (registration A6-EIX). Both
aircraft are equipped with sharklets, which are blended winglets at each
wingtip, designed to enhance the
payload-range performance, allowing a significant reduction in fuel-burn.

The airline will take delivery of its
first Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A380 aircraft in October and December of this
year respectively. These aircraft will feature Etihad Airways’ revolutionary
new cabins, which were unveiled on 4 May 2014, including for the first time in
the airline industry, a luxurious self-contained three room cabin on the A380
known as ‘The Residence’, featuring a separate living room, bathroom and double
bedroom.